Press-devices

ABSTRACT

A press device, as for instance for the binding of the bevelled ends of a conveyor belt by means of an adhesive, comprises two platens, cross-members of U-shaped cross-section on the outer side of each platen, with the U of each cross-member opening towards the corresponding platen, means to connect the protruding ends of the cross-members of one platen with the protruding ends of the cross-members of the other platen, and inflatable hoses disposed in the U&#39;&#39;s of the cross-members to urge the platens towards each other. The hoses are preferably of the type comprising reinforcing plies of fabric.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,808,968 Notin May 7, 1974 [54] PRESS'DEVICES' FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventor: Claude Jacques Notin, Saint Chamond, France [73] Assignee: Etablissements Minet", Saint Chamond, France [22] Filed: Jan. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 324,082

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 17, 1972 France 72.05998 [52] US. Cl..... 100/264, 100/269 A, 156/580 [51] Int. Cl B30b 1/38 [58] Field of Search 100/264, 269 A; 425/411; 156/580; 144/281 A; 269/20, 22

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,737,998 3/1956 Meanor et al. 100/269 A 3,158,089 11/1964 Fillol 100/269 A 1,174,451 11/1958 France ..l00/269A Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alexander & Dowell 5 7] ABSTRACT A press device, as for instance for the binding of the bevelled ends of a conveyor belt by means of an adhesive, comprises two platens, cross-members of U- shaped cross-section on the outer side of each platen, with the U of each cross-member opening towards the corresponding platen, means to connect the protruding ends ofthe cross-members of one platen with the protruding ends of the cross-members of the other platen, and inflatable hoses disposed in the Us of the cross-members to urge the platens towards each other. The hoses are preferably of the type comprising reinforcing plies of fabric.

PATENTEDHAY 7 1914 3.808.968

1 PRESS-DEVICES This invention relates to press devices used for binding by means of an adhesive two superposed flat articles such as the ends of two belts or of a single belt looped on itself under endless form.

These devices generally comprise two platens dispose on each side of the articles to be assembled, two sets of cross-members, each extending on the outer side of one of the platens, rods or similar members to connect the ends of these sets and means acting on these rods to urge the platens towards each other. If the platens were perfectly rigid and if the cross members were indeformable, the articles would thus be uniformly pressed against each other. But in the case of wide conveyor belts these devices may have quite large dimensions and in actual practice it is impossible to avoid deformations of the cross members and of the platens themselves.

It has been proposed to interpose clamping screws between the cross-members and the platens, but such an arrangement requires that a relatively large member of screws be actuated in a quite uniform manner, which is difficult to obtain. It has also been suggested to provide an inflatable bag between one of the platens and the corresponding cross-members, the said bag receiving a fluid under pressure. But this requires an auxiliary continuous plate interposed between the bag and the discontinuous set of successive cross-members. Also means have to be provided in order to retain the bag laterally and to prevent same from bursting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a press device of the kind in question, more particularly for use with conveyor belts, wherein a uniform pressure may be obtained by simple and inexpensive means.

In accordance with the present invention the crossmembers of one at least of the sets associated with the platens are of U-shaped cross section, with the U opening towards the adjacent platen, and in each of these cross members there is disposed a hose into which a fluid is injected under an appropriate pressure. In a preferred embodiment each cross-member is realized by means of two parallel U-irons disposed with the inner side of their intermediate bar facing each other, but spaced from each other, and of a transverse partition welded to the said intermediate bars so as to finally realize a l-I-shaped unit wherein the hose is disposed.

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view with parts in section illustrating a press device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view thereof, also with parts in section.

Referring to the drawing the device illustrated comprises two platens 1 and 2 of any appropriate type which may comprise any suitable heating means operating electrically, by steam or otherwise as well as any kind of temperature regulating means. The flat articles to be pressed are disposed between platens 1 and 2 and in the example illustrated it has been supposed that these articles were formed of the ends 3 and 4 of an endless conveyor belt, the contacting surfaces of these ends being of course duly coated with an appropriate adhesive.

A set of cross-members is associated with each platen l or 2. each set including a number of elements 5 (three in the embodiment illustrated) regularly spaced along the length of the platens. Each cross-member 5 comprises two parallel U-shaped irons 6 disposed with the outer side or back of their intermediate bar in spaced facing relation, these bars being connected with each other by means of a transverse partition 7 which is secured thereto by welding. Each transverse partition 7 is situated half way up with respect to the irons so as to realize therewith a H-shaped unit, and it terminates somewhat short of the ends of these irons. It will further be noted that the length of the cross-members exceeds somewhat the width of the platens and that therefore the cross-members project laterally beyond the latter.

Each cross-member of the upper set is disposed above one cross-member of the lower set and it is connected therewith by means of two rods 8 which pass through these cross-members beyond the ends of the corresponding transverse partitions 7, these rods being provided with appropriate stop elements which bear against stays 9, 10. In the example illustrated these stop elements comprise a head 11 integral with each rod 8 and a nut 12 screwed on a threaded portion of this rod, but other means could be used. For instance each rod could be pivoted to a cross-member and could carry a hook or the like whereby it could be attached to the other one. It is further to be noted that stays 9 and -10 might also be welded to the corresponding crossmembers, heads 11 being in turn welded to stays 9.

In the space defined by the transverse partition 7 of each cross-member 5, the facing sides of the bars of its irons 6 and the adjacent platen 1 or 2 there is disposed an inflatable hose 13, preferably of the type made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, reinforced by one or several plies of fabric. The dimensions of this hose are such that in the inflated state its cross-sectional area exceeds that of the space above referred to, when thecross-members are in contact with the platens.

In the operation, the press device being open, the ends to be assembled are coated with an appropriate adhesive and they are superposed on the lower platen 2, the latter resting on the corresponding crossmembers. The upper platen 1 is disposed on the aforesaid ends and the upper cross-members 5 are placed on this platen together with their rods 8. Nuts 12 are then very moderately tightened in order merely to maintain the parts in position. The hoses 13 are inflated to the same pressure in order that they may apply a uniform pressing force onto the platens. The latter are then heated, if required.

Owing to their reinforcing plies, hoses 13 are not liable to expand and to burst between each platen l or 2 and the corresponding irons 6.

Once the adhesive has set, the hoses 13 may be deflated and the nuts 12 unscrewed to liberate the belt.

The device described may be simplified by suppressing the hoses 13 in the lower set of cross members 5, at least if the lower platen 2 is perfectly flat. In such a case these cross-members could be secured to platen 2, as for instance by welding, and the connecting rods 8 could be pivoted to the said platen.

I claim:

1. A press device, more particularly for the binding of the ends of conveyor belts and like flat articles by means of an adhesive, comprising:

a first and a second platens disposed substantially parallel to each other to clamp between them the articles to be pressed, each of said platens having an inner side and an outer side;

a plurality of cross-members disposed against the outer side of said first platen, each of said crossmembers having a U-shaped cross-section opening towards said first platen;

an inflatable hose disposed in each of said crossmembers to act on said first platen to urge same towards said second platen;

and means disposed laterally of said first and second platensto connect said cross members with said second platen so as to retain same against the action of said first platen.

2. In a device as claimed in claim 1, each of said inflatable hoses being reinforced by plies of fabric.

3. In a device as claimed in claim 1, each of said cross-members comprising:

two U-irons each having an intermediate bar with an inner side and an outer side, said irons being substantially parallel to each other with the inner sides of their intermediate bars facing each other but spaced from each other; 7

and a transverse partition welded to said inner sides substantially midway of their width to form with said irons a unit having substantially a H-shaped cross section.

4. A press device, more particularly for the binding of the ends of conveyor belts and like flat articles by means of an adhesive, comprising:

a first and a second platens disposed substantially parallel to each other to clamp between them the articles to be pressed, each of said platens having an inner side and an outer side;

a plurality of first cross-members disposed against the outer side of said first platen, each of said first cross-members having a U-shaped cross-section opening towards said first platen;

a plurality of second cross-members disposed against the outer side of said second cross-members having a U-shaped cross-section opening towards said second platen;

means disposed laterally of said first and second platens to connect each of said second cross-members with one of said first cross-members;

and an inflatable hose disposed in each of said first and second cross-members to act respectively on said first and second platens to urge same towards each other.

5. In a device as claimed in claim 4, said means being in the form of rods extending substantially at right angles to said platens. 

1. A press device, more particularly for the binding of the ends of conveyor belts and like flat articles by means of an adhesive, comprising: a first and a second platens disposed substantially parallel to each other to clamp between them the articles to be pressed, each of said platens having an inner side and an outer side; a plurality of cross-members disposed against the outer side of said first platen, each of said cross-members having a U-shapeD cross-section opening towards said first platen; an inflatable hose disposed in each of said cross-members to act on said first platen to urge same towards said second platen; and means disposed laterally of said first and second platens to connect said cross members with said second platen so as to retain same against the action of said first platen.
 2. In a device as claimed in claim 1, each of said inflatable hoses being reinforced by plies of fabric.
 3. In a device as claimed in claim 1, each of said cross-members comprising: two U-irons each having an intermediate bar with an inner side and an outer side, said irons being substantially parallel to each other with the inner sides of their intermediate bars facing each other but spaced from each other; and a transverse partition welded to said inner sides substantially midway of their width to form with said irons a unit having substantially a H-shaped cross section.
 4. A press device, more particularly for the binding of the ends of conveyor belts and like flat articles by means of an adhesive, comprising: a first and a second platens disposed substantially parallel to each other to clamp between them the articles to be pressed, each of said platens having an inner side and an outer side; a plurality of first cross-members disposed against the outer side of said first platen, each of said first cross-members having a U-shaped cross-section opening towards said first platen; a plurality of second cross-members disposed against the outer side of said second cross-members having a U-shaped cross-section opening towards said second platen; means disposed laterally of said first and second platens to connect each of said second cross-members with one of said first cross-members; and an inflatable hose disposed in each of said first and second cross-members to act respectively on said first and second platens to urge same towards each other.
 5. In a device as claimed in claim 4, said means being in the form of rods extending substantially at right angles to said platens. 